Herbal Remedies For Asthma
In an increasingly-polluted world, both outdoor and indoor, the number of people who suffer from asthma keeps rising. The statistics are startling: in the United States alone, over 18 million people suffer from this chronic disease and thousands die each year from serious asthma attacks.
While the symptoms are familiar - wheezing, coughing, tight chest, extreme anxiety about the ability to breath -, what causes asthma in many cases still remains a mystery. The good news, however, is that herbal remedies have a lot to offer in the fight against asthma.
Herbal Support for Asthma
Although herbal remedies cannot be used for serious asthma attacks, they do have a lot to offer for the long-term respiratory health of people with asthma.
For example, ephedra is a herb which has been used by the Chinese in the treatment of asthma for thousands of years. It is still used today by many herbalists to soothe the bronchial constriction of asthma. However, caution should be taken when using this herb as it can have serious side effects. It stimulates the central nervous system, and can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety and insomnia when administered at high intakes.
Herbs can also be used as natural alternatives to keep asthma at bay. Green tea is a source of theophylline and contains antioxidant compounds that improve the health of asthma patients on different levels. Stinging nettles, fennel and anise have antihistamine properties that counteract bronchial secretions. Licorice is another favorite of herbal therapists to clear sore throats and alleviate coughs.
Alleviating allergies is another important therapeutic characteristic of many herbal remedies. Allergy remains one of the most potent triggers of asthma attacks, with over half of all patients also suffering from some kind of allergy. When an allergen is present, it can lead to inflammation and tightened airway muscles that ultimately lead to breathing difficulties. Using herbal treatments can diminish the super-sensitivity of patients' lung tissue to the presence of known allergen.
Ultimately, herbal remedies should only be used as a supplemental treatment, not a substitute to your main treatment. If you suffer from a life-threatening asthma, then it's wise to listen to your physician and keep taking the pharmaceuticals. Avoiding asthma attacks is also as important. Be mindful of allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites and pollen, which trigger allergies and lead to serious attacks.